People have been asking what is happening on the Beattie site. Edwinstowe in Bloom (EiB) has been given the site to look after and the plan is to establish a perennial wildflower meadow. They are trialling a patchwork approach across the site as it is full of building rubble – not ideal for digging and rotavating. There will be two ‘no dig’ areas covered with a membrane to weaken the more dominant vegetation, but each needs to be down at least 12 months to do its work.
The first black membrane will be lifted this autumn and hopefully by then EiB will be able to prepare the ground for sowing a perennial meadow seed mix. The plan is also to use some artwork and planters to help make it look a little more attractive.
Volunteers will continue to pull up thistles and rotationally scythe other areas to give the less robust plants more of a chance to establish. Some spring bulbs, a small hedge and some yellow rattle have been planted, which in time will help to weaken the dominant grasses.
All of this will take time so please be patient while EiB gives nature a helping hand in this area.
An area of thistle and nettles will be left towards the back of the site to do their own thing; while this may look uncared for, it is all part of the patchwork plan for the site. If anyone has any ideas for what they might like to see within the general scheme (which can be achieved without lots of money), or if you would like to get involved as a volunteer, please let EiB know.
In time for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the poppies were poignantly blooming at St Mary’s Church. There is also a pathway of poppies coming out amongst the beautiful blooms along Mansfield Road, and the intense colour is spectacular.
Work is continuing on the allotment, where volunteers Graham and Jim spent a very productive afternoon in May. As a result, the compost heap has been tamed, the wood pile has been sorted, and areas around the paths have all been strimmed. This has all helped to create some order.
There is still a lot of bindweed and other competitors to be tackled if anyone fancies an hour’s weeding on the lighter evenings… it’s good exercise for tension relief!
A second plot of broad beans, sweetcorn, courgettes and pumpkins, runner beans and climbing beans have been planted. A few have been kept back for the social gardening sessions, which occur every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Individuals and families are welcome to drop in and join the volunteers at the Royal Oak Community Allotment (off Royal Oak Court).
In the EiB Photography Competition, the winning entry for April was from Caroline Reid. The group is now looking for entries for July so, if you are an amateur photographer and over 16, why not send your entries in jpg format to the email address below? Terms and conditions can be found on the EiB Facebook page.
For more information contact eib@btinternet.com or search Edwinstowe In Bloom on Facebook.